Overcenter ski binding mechanism

ABSTRACT

There is provided in a safety ski binding having a spring loaded overcenter mechanism for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski, a plate which cooperates with an angulated modified part of the mechanism to throw the mechanism overcenter to thereby effect a substantially instantaneous full release condition when a force exceeding limits of safety is transmitted to the mechanism. Alternatively, an angulated bracket is used in cooperation with the plate for throwing the mechanism overcenter. The described plate and cooperating angulated parts are adapted for use in both ski as well as boot mounted bindings using overcenter mechanisms.

ilnited States Patent Spademan May 20, 1975 1 OVERCENTER SKI BINDING MECHANISM Primary Examiner-David Scli'onberg h 933 Add [76] Inventor i g gfig z fi 94301 Assistant ExammerDav1d M1.M1tchell [22] Filed: Mar. 15, 1973 7 AB TR [21] Appl. No.: 341,512 [5 1 S ACT There is provided in a safety ski binding having a spring loaded overcenter mechanism for releasably se- 282931.350: curing a Ski boot to a Ski a plate which cooperates 58 i T with an angulated modified part of the mechanism to 1 0 2 37 35 R 1125 21/71 6 throw the mechanism overcenter to thereby effect a substantially instantaneous full release condition when a force exceeding limits of safety is transmitted to the [56] References Clted mechanism. Alternatively, an angulated bracket is UNITED STATES PATENTS used in cooperation with the plate for throwing the 3,173,701 3/1965 Bey] 280/11.35 T mechanism overcenter. The described plate and coop- 3,190,667 6/1965 Wiedermann 280/1 1.35 2 erating a gulated parts are adapted for use in both ski 3,191,955 6/1965 Preisig ..280/1135 Z as well as boot mounted bindings using Overcemer 3,606,370 9/1971 Spademan 280/1 1.35 T mechanisms FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Switzerland 280/1 1.35 Z

9 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENTEU 3, 884,492

SHEET 1 OF 3 .2 4 42 FIGQ'SA PMENFEH E SHEET 2 BF 3 FIG.4

FIG.5

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OVERCENTER SKI BINDING MECHANISM BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to releasable safety ski bindings in general, and in particular to ski and boot mounted bindings using overcenter spring loaded mechanisms for releasably securing a ski boot to a ski such as for example, the bindings disclosed in US. Pat. No. 3,606,370.

Safety release bindings are typically spring loaded. When a force of sufficient magnitude is transmitted to the mechanism, the resistance of the spring is over come and the boot and ski will separate. In such bindings, for any given setting of spring bias, the force for effecting release remains constant and must be continuously applied throughout separation under all fall conditions including longitudinal, twisting and heel lifting movement of the boot relative to the ski. Generally, at no time during or following separation is the binding in a fully released condition as is required when initially securing the boot to the ski.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the present invention, means are provided to insure substantially instantaneous full and continuous release and separation of a ski boot and ski upon the transmission of a predetermined force to an overcenter binding mechanism under all fall conditions.

In one embodiment a spring retaining rod of an overcenter mechanism is pivotably coupled to clamping members which secure a ski boot to a ski. The rod is provided with a rearwardly directed angulated portion which cooperates with a separately mounted plate to effect full release. As forces transmitted to the mechanism increase under fall conditions, the rod is moved until the angulated portion engages the plate at which point the rod is driven overcenter. With the rod in an overcenter position, the mechanism is and remains in a fully released condition until reset.

In another embodiment, a spring retaining rod of an overcenter mechanism having a substantially uniform cross-section is provided with an angulated bracket adapted to engage the above described plate. The bracket serves the function of the previously described angulated portion of the retaining rod and will effect full release of the mechanism when engaged by the plate.

As a further advantage, the bracket is provided with a setscrew permitting positioning of the bracket along the longitudinal axis of the rod adjusting the shock ab sorption characteristics and the force required for full release.

DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The various other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon a consideration of the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a ski boot affixed to a ski by a safety binding in accordance with the present invention with the lever mechanism mounted on the ski.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the ski boot plate, ski and safety binding of FIG. I, the ski boot having been removed for clarity of illustration.

FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the ski boot plate and safety binding of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3A is a front elevation view of the ski boot plate and safety binding of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of a ski boot affixed to a ski by a safety binding in accordance with the present invention with the lever mechanism mounted in the sole of the ski boot.

FIG. 5 is a view taken in the direction of lines 5-5 in FIG. 4 of the ski boot mechanism and ski plate.

FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the ski boot mechanism, ski plate and safety binding of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial :side elevation view taken within the lines 77 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 8 is an enlarged partial side elevation view of an overcenter mechanism using the bracket of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged rear elevation view of the bracket of FIG. 8.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1-3A and 79 there is shown an embodiment of the present invention wherein the moving parts or lever mechanism :is mounted on the ski. A plate 1 attached to the bottom of the sole 2 of a ski boot 3 rests on a plate 4 secured to the top of a ski 5. Longitudinal, lateral, twisting and heel-lifting movement of the boot 3 relative to the ski 5 is releasably resisted by a safety binding including clamping tabs 6 pivotedly supported at each side of the ski and urged into engagement with the boot plate 1 by means of a spring-loaded manually-actuated overcenter release mechanism 7. The clamping tabs 6 are, in general, located to the rear of the point of application of heel-lifting force on the boot, which point is to the rearof the boot toe by an amount which varies with the flexibility of the sole. Typically, with usual boot construction, this point is adjacent the ball of the skiers foot. With rigid soled boots this point is at the toe.

The boot plate 1 has a plurality of holes 1 for purposes of affixing same as by screws to the bottom of the ski boot sole 2. The ends of the plate I, projecting perpendicularly outwardly from the sides of the boot sole, have concave female surfaces 11 which are generally symmetrical with respect to a transverse axis of the boot 3.

Each clamping tab 6 is fixedly mounted in upstanding relationship with respect to a lever of plate arm 12. Each lever or arm 12 is positioned below the ski plate 4 and is pivotedly supported to said plate in parallel relationship thereto by means of a vertical rivet or pin 13. The arms 12 are driven for pivoted motion about the pins 13, thereby moving the clamping tabs 6 inwardly or outwardly with respect to the boot plate 1 by a connecting plate-strip 14 attached at one end to the release mechanism 7 and supported underneath the boot plate 1 in parallel relationship therewith. The ski plate 4 has a downwardly depending edge 4' which supports the surface of plate 4 a sufficient height above the ski 5 to provide space for the clamping arms 12 and connecting strip 14.

The connecting strip 14 has two upstanding members 2l extending upward from the rearward end thereof through a slot 22 in the ski plate 4. The members 21 fixedly support a transverse pin 23 therebetween; and a rod 24 of the release mechanism 7 is pivotably mounted for rotation about the pin 23. Rearwardly stepped upstanding members 25 extend upward from the ski plate 4 with the connecting strip members 21 being disposed inwardly of, and parallel to, the members 25. An adjustment nut 26 threaded to the rear end of the rod 24 retains a washer 27 slideably engaged against the rear surface of the ski plate upstanding members 25, via a compression spring 28 retained between the adjustment nut 26 and the washer 27. The upper surface of rod 24 can be provided with graduation markings of dots, crosses or numbers not shown which when lined up with corresponding indicia 60 on nut 26 provides a measure of the compression applied to spring 28. As can be seen in FIGS. 1, 7 and 8 the rear edges of the members 25 are curved and serve as a guide for manually pivoting the rod 24 from the clamped position (shown in full lines FIG. 1) to the released position (shown in broken lines in FIG. 1).

As seen in FIG. 3, the clamping arms 12 extend through openings 31 in the downwardly depending edge 4' of the ski plate 4, and the maximum outward rotation of the arms 12 about the pins 13 is limited by the engagement of the arms 12 against the edge 4 at the rearward end of the openings 31. Inwardly directed tongue portions 32 are formed in the arms 12 so as to stabilize these arms 12 between the plate 4 and the ski even when the arms 12 are in this maximum outward position. Each clamping arm 12 further has an outwardly inclined wedge surface 33 formed therein which conforms with a complementary wedge surface 34 formed in the forward end of the connecting strip 14. Bosses 35 and 36 are formed in the undersurface of the plate 4 and project through respective slots 37 and 38 in the connecting strip 14 to thereby form an alignment guide for longitudinal movement of the strip 14 relative to the plate 4. The compression spring 28, acting through pin 23 and upstanding members 21, biases the connecting surfaces 34 against the clamping arm surfaces 33, thereby biasing the clamping arms 12 inwardly due to the wedging action of the surfaces 33 and 34.

The configuration of the clamping 'tabs 6 is seen in FIG. 3A. As seen in FIG. 3A, the tabs 6 are formed with an inwardly directed are such that the portion 41 of the tab 6 above the boot plate 1 is upwardly and outwardly directed and the portion 42 which engages the boot plate 1 is upwardly and inwardly directed. The outward edges of the tabs 6 are formed with inwardly curved convex male portions 43, symmetrically disposed with respect to a transverse axis of the ski 5, which mate in male-female relationship with the concave portions 11 of boot plate 1. The two engaging surfaces 43 are tangentially joined by a generally straight surface.

In operation, when the skier desires to mount the ski 5, the release mechanism 7 is unclamped by rotating the rod 24 counterclockwise as shown by the broken lines in FIG. 1. The wedge surfaces 34 of the connecting strip 14 are thereby disengaged from the wedge surfaces 33 of the clamping arms 12, whereby the arms 12 are free to pivot outward about the pins 13. The boot 3 is then placed with the female surfaces 11 of the boot plate 1 engaged inside the upward portions 41 of the clamping tabs 6. The outwardly angled configuration of the tab portions 41 facilitates such insertion of the boot plate 1. The boot is then placed to rest with the sole 2 on the ski plate 4. The heel of the boot rests on the lower stepped portions of the members which serve to compensate for the thickness of plate 1. Alternatively, plate I could be recessed in boot 3 and the lower mechanism 7 is of the members 25 eliminated. Next the release mechanism 7 is activated by rotating the rod 24 clockwise overcenter as shown by the solid lines in FIG. 1, whereupon the spring 28 urges the wedge surfaces 34 against the wedge surfaces 33, bringing the clamping tabs 6 into engagement with the boot plate 1 as seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. A clip or the like (not shown) may be inserted through the holes 25' in the upstanding members 25 so that accidental upward movement of the rod 24 is prevented. The ski boot 3 then remains fixed to the ski 5 either until a premeditated release is accomplished by manual unclamping of the release mechanism 7, or until an impending fall condition causes sufficient force to be transmitted to the safety binding for effecting safety release in a manner which will now be described in detail.

Under the engaged condition, shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 longitudinal, lateral and twisting movement of the boot 3 is resisted by the contacting of the female surfaces 11 of the boot plate 1 with the male surfaces 43 of the clamping tabs 6. Further, heel-lifting move ment is resisted by virtue of the fact that any lifting of the boot plate 1 along the inwardly included surfaces 42 of the clamping tabs 6 increases the friction between the plate and said inclined surfaces. When excessive force is transmitted by the boot to the binding, the clamping arms 12 transmit sufficient forwardlydirected force to the connecting strip 14, via wedge surfaces 33 and 34, to overcome the bias of the compression spring 28. This biasing force can be adjusted for the desired release conditions by suitable positioning of the adjusting nut 26. Moreover, it should be noted that the amount of the longitudinal force required for release is determined by the ratio of the length of the curved mating surfaces 43 of the clamping tabs 6 to the length of the straight surface of said tabs, said force varying directly with the magnitude of said ratio.

When excessive twisting force is transmitted by the boot to the binding, the female surfaces 11 of the boot plate 1 cam over the male surfaces 43 of the clamping tabs 6, against the bias of the spring 28, whereby the boot plate becomes free of the ski. When excessive heel-lifting force is transmitted by the boot to the bind ing, the boot plate surfaces 11 cam over the inwardly directed surfaces 42 of the clamping tabs 6, also against the bias of the spring 28, whereby the boot plate becomes free of the ski.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, there is shown an alternative mounting of the parts of the binding of the present invention on the boot 3. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 6 the sole 2 of the boot 3 is cut out to receive the plate 4 which encloses portions of the spring-biased release mechanism 7 of the present invention and its associated moving parts.

. In the present invention a plate 49 with mounting holes 49' and vertically rising tabs 50 identical in crosssection to tabs 6 shown in FIG. 2 is mounted on the ski 5. As shown in FIG. 6, the spring-biased release mechanism 7 is attached to a centrally located connecting strip 51 in the manner of strip 14 of FIG. 3 but has at its left end instead, a left and outwardly directed fin shaped wedge section 54 oppositely directed from that shown in FIG. 3 which mates to conforming surfaces 59 on pivotable members 55. Pivotable members 55 are each cut out at their outer edge so as to present when extended a concave edge 58 for engagement with tabs 50. Thus it will be seen from FIG. 4 and that in operation as the rod 24 is moved from an upright position shown in dotted lines clockwise to a horizontal position as shown in solid lines,yconnecting strip 51 will be pulled to the right causing pivotable members 55 to be pushed apart and the exterior concave edges 58 thereof to releasably engage thevertical tabs 50 of plate 49 attached to or imbedded in ski 5. I

It is immediately apparent that except for the reversed mounting of the respective parts, the placement of the external tabs 50 on plate 49 and the reversal of the wedge effect with actuation of the release mechanism 7 to effect binding of the boot 3 to the ski 5, the principle of operation is in all other respects substantially identical in both of the above-described configurations.

Referring to the overcenter mechanism 7 in both of the above described embodiments and, in particular, to rod 24, there is further provided, as shown more clearly in FIG. 7, a section of rod 24 of reduced crosssection with a rearwardly downwardly extending angulated portion 16. The configuration of the rod 24 is then such that in a closed or horizontal position the rod 24 rests on a transversely orientated plate 17 having an angulated portion 17 which is secured between or incorporated in the upstanding members 25. When the rod 24 has moved forward a specified distance during movement of the levers 12 the angulated portion 16 of rod 24 contacts the angulated portion 17 of plate 17 resulting in an upward rotation of the rod 24. This configuration of the rod and upstanding members 25 are such that the counter clockwise rotation of the rod releases the tension on the spring 28 resulting in loss of spring loading of the levers l2 and hence full and continuous release of the binding mechanism. An alternative arrangement of the rod 24 and the plate 17 would allow a change in the forward-rearward position of the plate to allow an adjustable spring release position or the use of an angulated plate on the rod 24 which would be adjustable in position.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9 there is provided in lieu of section 15, a bracket 18 which cooperates with plate 17 for driving rod 24 overcenter under release conditions. In assembly, bracket 18 is simply slipped over rod 24 and secured by a set screw 19. Bracket 18 is provided at its lower extremity with a rearwardly downwardly directed angulated portion 20. As with portion 16 of section 15 shown in FIG. 7, when rod 24 has moved forward during movement of the levers 12, the angulated portion 20 of bracket 18 contacts the angulated portion 17' of plate 17 resulting in a upward rotation of the rod 24. The provision of the set screw 19 permits axial positioning of the bracket 18 and hence provides an adjustment as to the amount of forward movement of rod 24 and releasing force which must be applied to the mechanism 7 before full and continuous release is achieved.

While described in detail with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1-3 and 8, it is apparent that the assemblage of the bracket 18 and plate 17 are directly applicable in the same manner to the overcenter mechanism 7 shown and described with respect to FIGS. 4-6.

As a further alternative arrangement using a rod 24 of reduced cross-section as shown in FIG. 7, the upstanding members 25 of FIGS. 1-6 may be provided with a plurality of screw or bolt holes (not shown) for permitting repositioning of plate 17 fore and aft of its illustrated position in lieu of using bracket 18. While not as convenient, such an arrangement will provide nearly the same degree of adjustability as that achieved with the arrangement of FIG. 8.

. It is understood that these and other alternative arrangements may be adopted without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as hereinafter claimed.

What is claimed is:

1. In a safety release binding having a first member with a first mating surface and means for fitting said first member to a ski;

a second member with a second mating surface for mating with said first mating surface and means for fitting said second member to a ski boot;

an overcenter mechanism including a spring retaining rod, a spring member connected to said rod and means for coupling said rod to one of said first and said second members such that said rod may translate longitudinally of the ski and rotate about a transverse axis, said rod having a first position parallel to said ski wherein said spring member biases said rod in a first direction for urging said mating surfaces of said first and said second members into releasable engagement and a second position angularly disposed from said first position wherein said spring bias is removed from said rod for separating said mating surfaces and disengaging said first and said second members, the improvement comprising: first means located on said rod and second means positioned adjacent said rod and spaced from said first means for contacting said first means and automatically rotating said rod about said transverse axis from said first position to said second position upon movement of said rod a predetermined distance in a second direction opposite to said first direction in response to the application of a predetermined force on said rod.

2. In a release binding according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second means for contacting and rotating said spring retaining rod comprise, respectively, a means located on said rod having a rearwardly extending angulated surface and a means positioned adjacent to said rod and spaced from said surface for slidably contacting said surface when said rod has moved said predetermined distance.

3. In a release binding according to claim 2 wherein said means having said rearwardly extending angulated surface comprises a section of said rod having a reduced cross-section located intermediate the ends of said rod and further wherein said rearwardly extending angulated surface is located at the rear extremity of said section.

4. In a release binding according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second means for contacting and rotating said rod comprise means for selectively changing said predetermined distance said spring retaining rod moves before said rod is rotated from said first position to said second position.

5. In a release binding according to claim 4 wherein said means for changing said predetermined distance said spring retaining rod moves before said rod is rotated from said first position. to said second position comprises a movable member, the position of which is movable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rod.

7 8 6. In a release binding according to claim wherein taining rod so as to be contacted by said angulated said movable member comprises a bracket and a means portion of said bracket when said rod moves said for movably securing said bracket to said spring retainpredetermined distance. ing rod. 8. In a release binding according to claim 7 wherein 7. In a release binding according to claim 1 wherein 5 said bracket is vslideably fitted on said rod and, further, said first and said second means for rotating said spring comprising:

retaining rod comprise, respectively: a means for releasably securing said bracket in a prea bracket extending from said rod, said bracket havdetermined position on said rod.

ing a rearwardly extending angulated portion ex- 9. In a release binding according to claim 8 wherein tending from one extremity thereof; and 10 said securing means is a setscrew.

a member fitted in position adjacent to said spring re- 

1. In a safety release binding having a first member with a first mating surface and means for fitting said first member to a ski; a second member with a second mating surface for mating with said first mating surface and means for fitting said second member to a ski boot; an overcenter mechanism including a spring retaining rod, a spring member connected to said rod and means for coupling said rod to one of said first and said second members such that said rod may translate longitudinally of the ski and rotate about a transverse axis, said rod having a first position parallel to said ski wherein said spring member biases said rod in a first direction for urging said mating surfaces of said first and said second members into releasable engagement and a second position angularly disposed from said first position wherein said spring bias is removed from said rod for separating said mating surfaces and disengaging said first and said second members, the improvement comprising: first means located on said rod and second means positioned adjacent said rod and spaced from said first means for contacting said first means and automatically rotating said rod about said transverse axis from said first position to said second position upon movement of said rod a predetermined distance in a second direction opposite to said first direction in response to the application of a predetermined force on said rod.
 2. In a release binding according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second means for contacting and rotating said spring retaining rod comprise, respectively, a means located on said rod having a rearwardly extending angulated surface and a means positioned adjacent to said rod and spaced from said surface for slidably contacting said surface when said rod has moved said predetermined distance.
 3. In a release binding according to claim 2 wherein said means having said rearwardly extending angulated surface comprises a section of said rod having a reduced cross-section located intermediate the ends of said rod and further wherein said rearwardly extending angulated surface is located at the rear extremity of said section.
 4. In a release binding according to claim 1, wherein said first and said second means for contacting and rotating said rod comprise means for selectively changing said predetermined distance said spring retaining rod moves before said rod is rotated from said first position to said second position.
 5. In a release binding according to claim 4 wherein said means for changing said predetermined distance said spring retaining rod moves before said rod is rotated from said first position to said second position comprises a movable member, the position of which is movable along an axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of said rod.
 6. In a release binding according to claim 5 wherein said movable member comprises a bracket and a means for movably securing said bracket to said spring retaining rod.
 7. In a release binding according to claim 1 wherein said first and said second means for rotating said spring retaining rod comprise, respectively: a bracket extending from said rod, said bracket having a rearwardly extending angulated portion extending from one extremity thereof; and a member fitted in position adjacent to said spring retaining rod so as to be contacted by said angulated portion of said bracket when said rod moves said predetermined distance.
 8. In a release binding according to claim 7 wherein said bracket is slideably fitted on said rod and, further, comprising: a means for releasably securing said bracket in a predetermined position on said rod.
 9. In a release binding according to claim 8 wherein said securing means is a setscrew. 